Each one of us seems to have this idolized view of what WDW is supposed to be and if just one thing is out of align then the whole is no good.
See Dis. It's just this kind of thinking that is so hard to refute. But refute I must, because it's just simply not true. I can and have, on occasion, made up lists of Disney 'MAGIC' with the best of them. I can and have given
glowing accounts of the 'State-of-the-Parks'. All (well, most at least) of my Ei$ner problems are quickly forgotten as I turn off I-4 and head for my home away from home. But that doesn't take away from the fact that the corporate philosophy is slowly but surely ruining the company. And I fear that before to long, the build up of goodwill, directly from Walt himself, will not be enough to keep my spirits up when I'm there. And on that day, Disney will become just another profit driven company to me. Still probably a very fun place to go. A vacation destination every five years or so. But NOT a semi-obsession. Not somewhere that I'd likely bookmark on my computer. Just a company that I use. No more - no less. I like to drink Coke. I'm not obsessed with the "Coke-Magic". I like Whoppers once in while. I don't have their company's site bookmarked though. See the difference? I'm worried that my kids, or their kids, will not have that special feeling I have when they walk under the tracks and catch a glimpse of the castle for the first time in a year or so.
That's one of the reasons I don't like lists. We can all do our own list that would run on for pages and pages. It simply misses the point. Sometime we seem to be talking about bricks and mortar (maintenance, seeing workmen, etc.) But what we're really circling around, and sometimes even directly addressing, is really soooo much more!! It is the management philosophy and the all important guest experience. SHOW. Disney touch. Call it what you will!!
It seems that some have problems separating their dislike of Eisner from the company itself. Yes he is the chief buck stops here guys and is a micro-manager type guy but do you really think that on a day to day basis he impacts how a particular CM acts. Or how quickly maintenance cleans up during the day.
At the risk of sounding very repetitive - YES!! He sets the tone for the entire conglomerate by word and deed. It is his philosophy, both explicit and tacit, that his minions follow. Yes, my dear Duck, HE IS RESPONSIBLE!!! You can't separate Ei$ner from the company because
He is the company!!! Or at least HIS management philosophy is.
So unless something outrageous is posted that I feel compelled to answer SO LONG, GOODBYE. See you on other issues. Off to DL/DCA in November.
I hoping this is outrageous enough.
But if it isn't, let me say I fully understand your desire to take a break. We all have at one time or another. But I would appreciate a promise from you. When you get back from DCA, with eyes wide open, post a State-of-DCA address. I really want to hear your perspective on it. I truly have great respect for you. Thanks for all the
wonderful conversations!!!
